John Travolta Visits Widow of Mob Boss John Gotti

John Travolta visited the New York home of notorious mob boss John Gotti on Thursday and met with the late mafia kingpin's widow to research an upcoming role. 

The New York Post reports the actor -- who arrived carrying a gift bag and was greeted with handshakes and hugs -- stayed inside the house for more than two hours while speaking with Victoria, her son John "Junior" Gotti and other key players.  

John Gotti was convicted in 1992 and died in prison in 2002 while serving a life sentence. Travolta will play the mobster in the movie Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father, which is set to begin shooting in January. The role of Victoria Gotti will be played by Travolta's wife Kelly Preston.